Integrated cold plasma and high frequency plasma electrosurgical system and method

Abstract

An integrated gas-enhanced electrosurgical generator. The generator comprises a high frequency power module, a low frequency power module and a gas module. The high frequency power module adapted to generate an electrical energy having a band of frequencies centered around a first frequency, wherein the electrical energy has a first power as the first frequency and a second power lower than the first power at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The low frequency power module having an input connected to an output of the high frequency module. The low frequency module comprises a resonant transformer comprising a ferrite core, a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a larger number of turns than the primary coil, wherein the resonant transformer has a resonant frequency equal to the second frequency. The gas module is adapted to control a flow of an inert gas.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated gas-enhanced electrosurgical generator comprising:
 a high frequency power module adapted to generate an electrical energy having a band of frequencies centered around a first frequency, wherein said electrical energy has a first power at said first frequency and a second power lower than said first power at a second frequency lower than said first frequency; 
 a low frequency power module having an input connected to an output of said high frequency power module, said low frequency module comprising:
 a resonant transformer comprising a ferrite core, a primary coil and a secondary coil, the secondary coil having a larger number of turns than the primary coil, wherein said resonant transformer has a resonant frequency equal to said second frequency; and 
 
 a gas module adapted to control a flow of an inert gas; 
 a first electro-gas connector connected to said output of said high frequency power module and an output of said gas module; and 
 a second electro-gas connector connected to an output of said low frequency power module and said output of said gas module. 
 
     
     
       2. An electrosurgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said low frequency power module further comprises:
 a first insulation between said primary coil and said secondary coil; and 
 a second insulation between said primary and secondary coils and the ferrite core; 
 wherein said first insulation is greater than said second insulation. 
 
     
     
       3. An electrosurgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first frequency is greater than or equal to 400 KHz and said second frequency is less than or equal to 300 KHz. 
     
     
       4. An electrosurgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second frequency is less than 300 kHz. 
     
     
       5. An electrosurgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first power is greater than or equal to 70 W and said second Power is less than or equal to 10 W.